European Mountains, Slovakia

Slavkovský štít (2452m), July 6 2013

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The route (Google Earth)

The route (Google Earth)
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Anne and me were still "10 feet above the ground" after our highly memorable climb across Gerlachovský štít the day before. Our next Tatra goal was Rysy - Poland's high point. But as we a) wanted to hike Rysy in good weather and b) really wanted an easy day in-between Gerlach and Rysy, we decided to pay Slavkovský štít a visit.

 

Slavkovský štít seen from Starý Smokovec

Slavkovský štít seen from Starý Smokovec
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We took the train up to Hrebienok (1285m). The train was packed and we expected that everyone was heading for the peak. And that is probably why we started following the crowd, but before too long had gone we discovered that these hikers were going somewhere up north - possibly to some mountain cabins. 

Eventually (8:17am), we found the right path but were a bit annoyed that the path would take us on a 1,7km detour. But we never saw the shortcut before we came down the mountain...

 

On the train from Starý Smokovec

On the train from Starý Smokovec
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The mountain path was easy to walk and we felt ourselves pretty alone up there. We would surely be heading into the fog, but the question was if we would get sunshine once we reached the top...

We could glimpses of some rather amazing peaks now and then, but I concluded that glimpses would be better than nothing at all...

 

Along the ridge route

Along the ridge route
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We reached the top of Slavkovský štít at 10:43am - approx. 2,5 hours after heading out from Hrebienok. Only a handful of hikers were on the peak and we waited for a good 40 minutes - hoping the fog would go away. But it didn't. The below picture shows the best view we ever had: 

 

View from Slavkovský štít

View from Slavkovský štít
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Nothing particularly interesting happened on the way down. Sometimes that's just the way it is, even in the high Tatras. But we did find the shortcut down to Hrebienok and arrived there at 1:17pm - on the minute 5 hours after leaving...

 

Slavkovský štít

Slavkovský štít
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Next trip report is Rysy

 

Pictures

The pictures were taken with a Canon EOS 60D + Canon EF-S 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 IS

 

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To Hrebienok (train station)

1. The route (Google Earth) 1-0. Heading for the train to Hrebienok 1-1. On the train to Hrebienok 1-2. On the train to Hrebienok 2. At Hrebienok 3. Trying to find our way 4. This is NOT the right way 5. This is NOT the right way 6. OMG...

To Slavkovský štít

7. On the RIGHT way! 8. Leaving Hrebienok 9. Well worn trail 10. Defintely on the right way! 11. Trying to visualize... 12. The trail to Teryho Chata 13. Starý Smokovec 14. The train to Hrebienok 15. A short pause 16. Rock face 17. North view from the trail 18. Almost... Almost... 19. Good spirit! 20. The train line 21. On the ridge trail 22. Rocky section 23. Far to go? 24. A nice and easy route 25. Please fog! Go away!

On Slavkovský štít

26. On Slavkovský štít 27. On Slavkovský štít 28. Communication 29. North view 30. West view 31. West view 32. Rugged! 33. Interesting ridge 34. West view

Descent

35. Dramatic nature 36. A sea of boulder 37. Rock face 38. Easy to navigate. Even in fog 39. A prominent neighbour 40. Lots of people on the mountain 41. Panorama view 42. View towards Hrebienok 43. Hrebienok

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